Dr. Doris Marie Day McDowell, 91, passed away on July 15, 2016. She was born December 23, 1924 in Louisville, KY to the late John and Beulah Day.
Doris led a successful career in nursing and education. She was a member of the U.S. Army Nurse Cadet Corps during World War II and continued her education earning her Bachelor of Science from Nazareth College and later her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Louisville. In addition, she received a Master of Education from Spalding University, as well as a Specialist in Education and Doctor of Education from the University of Kentucky. She was inducted into the International Honor Society of Nursing and was also a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
Doris served as State Supervisor and Assistant Director for the Division of Vocation Education in the Kentucky Department of Education. She planned and assisted with the implementation of 14 practical nurse programs throughout Kentucky. In 1970, she went to Morehead State University to initiate an Associate Nursing Degree program, becoming the first chairman of the Morehead State University Department of Nursing and Allied Health.
Gov. Wendell H. Ford appointed Dr. McDowell to the Kentucky Board of Nursing and Nurse Education. She later became Executive Director of the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Doris was also a past member of the Kentucky Nurse Association and the American Vocational Association. She served as past President and past Vice President of the Kentucky Vocational Association. She was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Edward T. Breathitt and a Kentucky Admiral by Gov. Julian M. Carroll.
In her retirement years, Doris enjoyed winters in Ft. Myers, FL. She was an active member of the Caloosa Bird Club and served on their Board of Directors. An avid photographer, she also served as past President of the Ft. Myers Beach Camera Club. Doris also belonged to two camera clubs in Louisville, Photo Forum and The Louisville Photographic Society. Another interest that gave her much pleasure was needlework and sewing. She belonged to The Northeast Quilting Friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Clement McDowell and son-in-law Dr. Raymond E. Pierce, Jr. Doris is survived by her daughters, Jacqueline Schmidt Pierce and Doris Frances Applebaum as well as 5 grandchildren, Matthew Pierce (Ashley), Caroline Pierce, Kaitlin Pierce, Lisa Simpson, and Nicole Margolit (David).
Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday July 20, 2016, followed by funeral service at 11 a.m. at St. Francis in the Fields Church, 6710 Wolf Pen Branch Rd, Harrods Creek, KY 40027.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana.
To leave a special message for the family, please use the "Share Memories" button above.